Dave Mason played the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Friday night. Not exactly sure about the performer, whose heyday was in the ‘60s and ‘70s? He played the acoustic 12-string guitar in 1968 on his buddy Jimi Hendrix’s classic version of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” (and provided backup vocals on “Crosstown Traffic”).

The actors behind the award-winning Impro Theatre are known for making up full-length plays on the spot in the style of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen or Stephen Sondheim. But for “1966 Holiday Variety Extravaganza,” anything can happen.

Most associate the harp with the heavenly, but the musical instrument has an illustrious history here on Earth, particularly in Ireland. The trio Legends of the Celtic Harp try to convey that while entertaining with “A Winter Gift,’’ which combines theater and storytelling while relating the history of the harp.

“The Nutcracker” is synonymous with the Christmas season. So you better believe companies across Southern California will be staging some version of the vivid dream in which young Clara and her prince journey to a winter wonderland of snow and sweets, with battling toy soldiers, waltzing flowers and the famous Sugar Plum Fairy all dancing to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.

Naomie Harris has already been earning raves for her performance as a struggling, crack-addicted mother in the acclaimed indie film “Moonlight.” On Friday, she can be seen in another big film for the holiday season, Warner Bros.

NEW YORK — Mick Jagger’s representatives say the rock legend has welcomed the birth of his eighth child. Jagger, the 73-year-old frontman of the Rolling Stones, was on hand Thursday at a New York hospital when girlfriend, Melanie Hamrick, gave birth to the couple’s son.

On this day, former Beatle John Lennon died in Manhattan, New York in 1980. He was most known for his songwriting in the most influential British rock and roll group, but his solo career showcased honesty, in songs like “Jealous Guy” and “Mind Games,” as well as a campaign for peace.

Masterful singer-songwriter-musician Greg Lake of progressive rock supergroup Emerson, Lake and Palmer died Wednesday at age 69, according to a statement from his manager, Stuart Young. While Young didn’t disclose where Lake was when he passed, he said the legendary musician died after “a long and stubborn battle with cancer.

When “Wonderful Town,” the musical by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, based on the 1940 play “My Sister Eileen” by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov, opened on Broadway in February, 1953, it was a hit.

Few of Hollywood’s bronzed big-screen gods are still here to hang around the pool, drain a martini and swap stories of moviedom’s golden age. One of the most beloved, however, still knows how to party.

John McLaughlin came to art later in his life. He’d already had a military career that included time as a U.S. Army linguist in China and India. He’d worked in real estate in Boston and later ran an art gallery there with his wife, Florence.

Outside a tiny storefront on Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank, Chealy Jean is picking through a few rolling racks of holiday sweaters for something “retro funky” to wear to a work party. “What I’m going for is something you know you would never take photos in, but your mom forces you to wear,” says Jean, a 29-year-old from downtown Los Angeles who was running errands with her boyfriend on a recent Saturday when they stumbled on the pop-up

The “Baroque Hoedown” will be heard at Disneyland once again, when the Main Street Electrical Parade returns to its original park Jan. 20. Disneyland announced the start date for the return of the parade on its Disney Parks blog today.

Just like the swallows in San Juan Capistrano, the models of California’s missions have returned to Knott’s Berry Farm after an 18-year absence. On Wednesday, 13 of the restored models went on display, with the other 8 planned for placement over the next few months.

T.J. Miller has an encouraging message for those who, like him, are bummed about the recent election results. “Here we are, in the midst of this exact time, and America needs a movie that is about people just coming together and partying,” the tumbleweed-haired comedian says with palpable sincerity — and the fact that he has a movie coming out called “Office Christmas Party.

Maxwell and Mary J. Blige know how to entertain their respective audiences in very different ways. The soul and hip-hop singer-songwriters and seasoned performers that all but ruled the R&B and hip-hop charts in the ‘90s have been out on their co-headlining King and Queen of Hearts Tour since mid-October.

As the box office begins to buzz like a lightsaber, the Force is taking over Hollywood Boulevard. A replica X-wing fighter from the “Star Wars” franchise landed in the middle of the iconic boulevard Wednesday as preparations jumped to light speed for this weekend’s world premiere of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

NEW YORK — The Grammy Awards are sipping all of Beyonce’s lemonade. The pop star is the leader of the 2017 Grammys with nine nominations, including bids for album of the year with “Lemonade,” and song and record of the year with “Formation.

A list of nominees in the top categories at the 59th annual Grammy Awards, announced Tuesday by The Recording Academy. — Album of the year: “25,” Adele; “Lemonade,” Beyonce; “Purpose,” Justin Bieber; “Views,” Drake; “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth,” Sturgill Simpson.

Drivers planning to cruise along Hollywood Boulevard won’t find the route they’re looking for. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is set to premiere Saturday at the Pantages Theatre, and several streets are already closed ahead of the debut of the most-anticipated movie of the year.

Hip hop musician Chance the Rapper made history by nabbing seven Grammy nominations as an independent artist. He also managed to get nominated without officially releasing an album. His discography consists of four mixtapes, the most recent being “Coloring Book.

The nominations for the 59th annual Grammy Awards, which will be hosted by “Late Late Show” host James Corden and held Feb. 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, were announced early Tuesday morning and the battles for the prestigious trophies have begun.

Someone was really laying on a car horn. “That’s L.A. in a nutshell,” Emma Stone says with a knowing smile. “They are definitely gonna move if you do that.” Coincidentally, the actress had just begun to talk about her role in “La La Land,” Damien Chazelle’s magical new musical set in the City of Angels, when the blaring car horn interrupted her.

For a year that’s seemed very long (ahem, the election), it’s suddenly accelerating and I’m not quite ready for it to end. I’m prepared to begin my holiday shopping though and books are at the top of my gift giving list and my own wish list as well.

Writing about a restaurant that puts out a new menu every week does involve certain challenges and a leap of faith for both the writer and the reader. During one visit, there were some very tasty salmon rillettes, “smoked and steamed,” served with pickled onions and crème fraiche.

NEW YORK — The Oscars finally have a host: Jimmy Kimmel will emcee the 89th Academy Awards. The late-night host will be presiding over the ceremony for the first time. Kimmel has been a regular awards host, having twice previously hosted the Emmy Awards (including its broadcast in September) and once led ESPN’s ESPY Awards.

Catch up on Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective: (9 p.m. Saturday, BBC America) Initially, it seemed unlikely that the series could keep up its trippy appeal and maintain a mystery, but after six episodes, the mystery is still hazy but, no matter, it’s pretty fun.

There has always been something subversive about “Hairspray.” After all, the original 1988 film came from the transgressive mind of John Waters, the filmmaker who has been called the “Baron of Bad Taste,” among other things.

Jeffrey Donovan looked a bit weary when we talked last summer. It was morning, and the actor had just flown in to Los Angeles the night before from Vancouver where he was shooting his new noir series “Shut Eye,” which debuts Wednesday on Hulu.

It’s hard not to enjoy the kinetic energy of Paul Greengrass’ “Bourne” films. Doug Liman did the first film about the memory-challenged spy starring Matt Damon, but Greengrass took up the mantle with verve in “The Bourne Ultimatum” (2007) and “The Bourne Supremacy” (2007).

LOS ANGELES >> Audiences came back for a second helping of “Moana” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” this weekend. Both family-friendly films topped the post-Thanksgiving box office charts, with “Moana” bringing in $28.

“Moonlight,” the three-part tale of a young African-American from Miami’s Liberty City ghetto coming to terms with his sexuality, was the big winner at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s 2016 awards.

He sees you when you’re sleeping and he knows when you’re awake, but come on, Santa Claus can’t be at every mall or tree lighting and still get all his pre-Christmas work done. So there’s a time-honored tradition of seasonal Santas stepping in to help the Man in Red with photo ops, personal appearances and wish-list listening duties.

IRIWINDALE >> One of the float builders busily creating rolling art pieces to ring in the New Year at the 2017 Rose Parade took several of its creations out for test drives on the streets of Irwindale on Saturday morning.

HOLLYWOOD — Filmmaker and television producer Lee Daniels received the 2,595th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, honoring a career that has included a best director Oscar nomination and co-creating Fox’s hit hip-hop drama “Empire.

Connor Head takes the stage with confidence and poise, offering up a solid song-and-dance routine. If not for the sunglasses he wears, you’d be hard pressed to notice that he’s blind. The Burbank resident’s parents recognized his musical talents young and sent him to the

Progressive rock music’s newest supergroup is having fun. Perhaps the biggest reason is that Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman, also called ARW, who played the landmark 2,000-seat Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles historic old Theater District on Broadway the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, are old pals who clearly love playing together.